Page 1 of 1
VMI Northstar conversion

Posted:
22 Oct 2024, 19:52
by hotwheels_75
Anyone ever have a van with VMI Northstar conversion minivan? I was given a 2014 Toyota Sienna with Northstar conversion package. It has power sliding doors, power infloor ramp and kneeling system. It was working ok, except kneeling system. Found out the kneeling actuator was unplugged, plugged it back in and everything seemed to function properly. Cycled it several times with no issues. Then suddenly started having issues, kneeling system activating inconsistently and getting out of sequence… so kneeling when the door is closing and raising when the door is opening. The ramp has stopped deploying completely, although will still function with the sure deploy back up system. Suspect the intelligent control module might be flaky but haven’t found anyone that can test it. Also been told the control module for this year van has been discontinued.
Re: VMI Northstar conversion

Posted:
23 Oct 2024, 14:50
by Burgerman
All else fails, then you can disconnect the lowering thing again. And just fit a 2 way switch. If you junk the computer completely, you can do the same with the ramp. The stock vans door opening still works as normal.
And...
Since all these vans have the same setup, you should be able to use or swap any brand of conversion, old or new computer and all should work just the same way.
Re: VMI Northstar conversion

Posted:
29 Oct 2024, 18:53
by hotwheels_75
I considered the direct switches approach. I am most likely going to sell it and was hoping to get it functioning properly. Also wondered about swapping computers but they appear to have specific firmware for each brand of vehicle, also they are so far not easy to come by for reasonable price as an experiment.
Re: VMI Northstar conversion

Posted:
29 Oct 2024, 19:34
by Burgerman
They are all the same. Each has a factory door opener, a ramp deploy, a lowering winch/chain. All use microswitches to detect end or travel etc. An autoelectrician will be able to swap one in a few hours if hese any good. If lucky it will plug and play.